Why is this one running around shirtless?†Gifty asked with a smirk on her face. The question was directed to no one in particular. Ruthie rushed to the window to peep. Amebo won’t kuku kill her. She laughed as she pulled the blinds. Well, whatever it was seemed to be interesting.
She peeped again. Gifty gave her a knock on the head. “You never see enough abi?†She said, pulling Ruthie away from the window. “The guy is cute na†she expressed “Early morning fine chestâ€. Fine chest ke. I needed to see too. This morning drop of cuteness must not pass my sight by. I left my cornflakes and ran to the window.
Lo and behold, Mr ‘Handsome but Shirtless’ was still jogging, ignorant of the drama he had stirred up in Gifty’s room. “Wawu!†I exclaimed “Why person pikin go fine like this?†I was drooling. The bloke had on grey sweatpants, white Nike’s, and iPhone air pods were plugged in his ears.
Cupid where art thou? Ruthie joined us again at the window; toothpaste in one hand, and her toothbrush in the other. Chei! Wetin this man go cause today ehn. “Babe go to the bathroom na†Mary snapped at Ruthie. She was least interested in our morning window-drama with Mr ‘Handsome but shirtless’; She had a bigger problem, Menstrual cramps.
Lex on the other hand was very much asleep. She had spent most of the night watching animations and looking up cats she hoped to keep as pets in the nearest future. Proper misfit.
“Una no notice say na only this side the guy dey jog?†Ruthie pointed, with her mouth full of toothpaste, foam, and spittle. That was true. The man had maintained tracks within view. We never lost sight of him. “ That’s someone’s father you two are referring to as ‘guy’ o†Gifty said, leaving the window. “Your thing for older men ehn†She added, settling herself at the table. “Sis, they bear no stress I’m sure you know“ I responded, laughing.
“Unlike the guys in our age grade.†“As in ehn…†Ruthie cut in. “Are we expected to date our mates? These boys in their twenties are really tiring. It’s like you have to teach them everything†She said again. Gifty just continued laughing as she stuffed bread in her mouth. “ Let’s do something today†She added. We laughed, leaving the window too.
“What should we do? Movies?†I asked, expecting a more interesting suggestion. “No jhor. All we did yesterday was Netflix and Chill†Mary countered, Obviously uncomfortable as she opened a pack of painkillers and popped one. I handed her a bottle of water. “Sorry dear†Gifty consoled her.
“Wake up na†Ruthie shook Lex’s legs. She opened her eyes. “How can I help you madam?†Lex said to Ruthie, rubbing her eyes and stretching. “ Wait o†Her eyes cleared “Gifty is that my Nutella?â€. Gifty was happily spreading the Nutella on bread slices.
Lex’s Nutella was like Buddha; a sacred possession. You could eat her Coco pops, empty her Golden morn, finish her Ribena, but not Nutella. Gifty ran out of the room, Lex followed. “When is Shewa coming to Lagos?†Mary asked. She sounded relaxed. Guess the effects of the pill was kicking in. “She should be in Lag by Friday after her test†I responded.
The beauty of attending a private school. Their academic calendar was moving fast, whilst ours stood still. The strike was still on. “ We could go to the beach tho†Gifty entered. “No o. Not the beach abeg. You want my mum to call and say her pastor said he saw me in a vision, that I was swimming inside the river and playing with fishes.†I said.
We all laughed. Lex walked into the room too. Eating bread. At least they’ve both appeased the Nutella gods.
“Becca how long do you want to be single for?†Lex asked. “Aren’t we all single?†Mary responded. We all laughed again. It was a beautiful morning. With family. Loving each other beyond blood ties. I looked at Gifty, laughing with a bread-full mouth.
Lex was laughing too, you could see the sincerity and peace she felt from that laughter. Ruthie had joined them in the bread and Nutella breakfast, her face broadened with a happy smile. Mary got off the bed to pick her toothbrush, her hairnet looked funny. She was laughing too.
I picked up my diary and wrote…
Dear diary,
We apologize for who we are. It’s not who we set out to be. Not even what our parents had in mind. We never believed we would grow up like this, or end up being the kids we were taught to avoid. Every tear we cried, led us here. Here at crossroads, in uncertainties, confused, far from home and blood ties. Still further away from who we want to be. But here we are, HAPPY and at Peace. I dropped my pen and joined in the bread and Nutella ritual.
